IT has certainly been a controversial introduction for VAR in Scotland with the technology making plenty of decisions since it was brought in during October.

Managers, players, pundits and fans all have their own take on whether the software is good for the game and it has certainly split opinions so far.

From handballs to red cards VAR has been called in to help our referees, but many have argued that some decisions are still being given as wrong.

Here two of our writers give their take on the technology and whether it has been good for the game as a whole.

AIDAN SMITH BACKS THE TECHNOLOGY

VAR doubters in Scotland need a reality check. If they expected the video technology to work perfectly from the off, then they simply do not have their heads screwed on straight.

The software has been a controversial implementation across Europe, and Scotland has been no different. The Premier League down south has now had VAR in place since the 2019/20 season and decisions are still being torn apart weekly. So it will be a while yet before our games are running smoothly.

Jota’s offside call was the big talking point from midweek and yes not having the correct angle for the line in question was far from ideal. But the positive is that the incident was reviewed and the correct call was given from the replay shown.

The SFA have held their hands up and admitted that there should have been a better camera angle, and I am certain this is a mistake that will not happen again. This was a learning curve for the technology, and it won’t be the last.

During its tenure in Scotland, there has been far too much concentration on the negatives surrounding VAR instead of the positives. Spot kicks have been correctly awarded, red cards given and overall matches feel as if they are under more control than previously.

Supporters must be patient with the SFA and VAR as it will come good in the end.

DAVID IRVINE QUESTIONS THE EARLY CONTROVERSY

THERE’S absolutely no question that VAR has a future in the Scottish, and indeed, worldwide game.

But there are certainly serious questions to be asked over the mid-season introduction, whether the technology is sufficient and how it is being used.

For a long time referees have needed help to get the big call right, what they didn’t need was excruciating wait times, hopeless replays and re-refereeing – something that was guaranteed not to happen.

Throw in the extra flavour of not knowing whether to celebrate because of a possible foul 60 seconds before the ball hit the back of the net and the unrivalled emotions football can evoke are dampened – or perhaps heightened, albeit not in a positive manner.

When it comes to handball decisions, VAR appears to have nailed it. While the ever-evolving criteria for a handball are questionable themselves, by the letter of the law VAR is making huge strides in coming to the correct decision.

Offsides should be another similar scenario and for the most part has been with the huge majority of decisions correctly made after a pause and subsequent check.

However, VAR seems to be forcing itself into decisions less on the “clear and obvious” scale with those not actually at the match becoming increasingly important.

We’ve gone from furious debate on ‘missed’ decisions to furious debate on decisions made which shouldn’t have been.

Just ask Tony Watt; he was sent off for a tackle initially ruled fair…then had it downgraded to a yellow after the match.

Jota’s offside goal against Motherwell is another obvious example – broadcasters missed the angle  leaving VAR to use one from the opposite end of the pitch – it’s just fortunate it appears to be the right call.

Referees need help but until there is a cast-iron guarantee of top quality replay footage, better judgement on when VAR can intervene and a second-thought for the fan who attends matches and doesn’t see countless replays – this isn’t it.

VAR is an important addition to the Scottish game, but until it’s up to scratch we’re being made to look amateurish and damaging our national sport.